Is There A Bottom To John Barrow's Woes? God Must Hate This Guy

Larry Peterson is Savannah's top political reporter. In fact, he's one of the top political reporters for the whole state of Georgia. Yesterday he rained on Blue Dog John Barrow's parade. Peterson did something few major mainstream political reporters have the guts to ever do: he pointed out that the incumbent is on the take. I've watched Peterson for years; he's scrupulously evenhanded-- sometimes frustratingly so-- and everyone in GA-12 knows it. That's why the revelations about Barrow and his special interests financial connections are absolutely devastating... right from paragraph one: "U.S. Rep. John Barrow's campaign received $12,500 from health care interests on the day he said he'd vote against a major health care bill."

From Augusta down to Savannah and across to Vidalia and Milledgeville, Barrow's constituents were already steaming mad. He lied to them about supporting President Obama's efforts to pass healthcare reform. He voted against Obama in committee twice and against the final bill-- also twice. He may have pleased the white shoe country club set but the ordinary working families, who largely took him on his word in 2008 and supported him overwhelmingly, are furious. Finding out that he was handsomely rewarded by the special interests who were most served by his vote, isn't likely to endear him to anyone. Peterson's analysis of Barrow's FEC filing showing that "most of the money came from groups representing radiologists, gastroenterologists, pathologists and dentists," will continue to make him ever more unelectable, especially in the Democratic primary.

Barrow's "no" vote angered black leaders in his 12th Congressional District. Some now back his challenger, former state Sen. Regina Thomas, in the July 20 primary.

Lobbied intensely by both sides, Barrow was one of the last House members to take a stand on the bill but already had expressed strong concerns.

Asked what he thought of the timing of the contributions, University of Georgia political science professor Charles Bullock laughed.

"What a coincidence," Bullock said, pausing for a few seconds. "I'm trying to find a way to say this delicately. ... I suppose some people who had concerns about the bill may have wanted their concerns foremost in his mind."

During the first quarter of the year, health care interests pumped about $32,000 into his campaign. Last year, they were even more generous, contributing almost $80,000 in the third quarter alone.

As a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, he was a key player last year when the House considered an earlier version of the bill.

Like other committees, the panel helps write laws affecting major businesses that use political donations to protect their interests.

While money doesn't buy votes, "it's a way of making sure a congressman doesn't go out of his way to do them harm," Bullock said at the time.

Barrow's filing also seems to indicate he had a kickback scheme going with Phillip Morris, a conflict that certainly needs to be examined by the House Ethics Committee. Peterson revealed that "reports surfaced he rented a box last fall so donors who shelled out $2,500 each could take in a Bruce Springsteen concert." That isn't uncommon-- but what came next is:

Barrow's campaign paid Altria Group Inc., which owns Phillip Morris, $6,666 to use the box at Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.

Since Jan. 1, 2009, Altria has given Barrow $9,500. The Energy and Commerce Committee considered tobacco legislation last year.

There have been a constant stream of rumors that Barrow plans to follow Parker Griffith from the Blue Dog caucus to the GOP. A state Senator who represents part of Barrow's district-- and who is neutral in the race between him and Regina Thomas-- told me on the phone that state Democratic leadership had told members that Barrow is going to bolt, fearful that the grassroots momentum for Regina is now too much for him to overcome and that he realizes he could easily lose the primary. (Barrow, of course, denies he's even thinking of jumping the fence-- as did Griffith just a few days before he made the move.)

Blue America proudly endorsed Regina Thomas long before Barrow's healthcare vote and before this latest round of ethics revelations. He has a long and disgraceful record as one of the worst members of Congress on either side of the aisle, a vain little man and an empty suit who doesn't stand for anything but perpetuating himself in power. He should have stayed in Athens, his home, and faced Paul Broun like a man instead of fleeing to Savannah and hoodwinking people there that he would work for their interests. Please consider helping Blue America raise money for Regina's campaign. Believe me, she won't be getting any from the country club set in the district.